December 1960 Algiers riots

The December 1960 Algiers riots occurred from 11 to 21 December 1960 when disturbances broke out without warning in the city of Algiers, French North Africa as Algerian Muslims took to the streets with flags and marched for freedom. While the French Army did kill several Algerians (the French even brought in a tank), they were later ordered to fire only as a last resort, and the French would eventually put down the uprising by force. However, the French public began to sympathize with a peace solution due to the unity seen in the demonstrations, and France would grant independence to Algeria after two more years of struggle on 2 July 1962.

History
On 11 December 1960, riots spontaneously occurred in the city of Algiers after two years of relative peace and quiet during the Algerian War, with people making flags out of torn sheets, shirts, and rags and taking to the streets. Journalists phoned an exiled FLN chief in Tunis and French authoritires, and both of them did not know why the riots suddenly broke out. Many rigid colonialists called on the French Army to fire on the Algerians, and the army did slaughter several protesters. The government ordered the soldiers to fire only as a last resort, which they did when the Arabs descended into the European quarter. Muslims still echoed their cries, even after the attempts to enter the European Quarter failed, and flags were still waved. The riots were taken so seriously that a French Army tank was sent in to assist the police and soldiers in putting down the riots, with baton-equipped police attacking the chanting protesters as the soldiers fired on them with machine guns. Still, the people's voices were heard, and they threw rocks at the tank. The riots ended by 21 December 1960, with the surprising unity of the demonstrations making a deep impression on French public opinion. According to Paris, a significant segment of the political class was in favor of seeking a new relationship with Algeria.

Aftermath
On 8 January 1961, the government of France under Charles de Gaulle held a referendum on the issue of self-determination for Algeria. 75% of voters overall (69.5% of Algerians) voted in favor of self-determination, and Algeria chose to become fully independent from France. On 2 July 1962